A woman who reported being assaulted by Australian grappler Izaak Michell has come forward publicly, expressing gratitude for the immediate response from her coaches at Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu.
Hannah Griffith, an IBJJF No-Gi World Champion and three-time Pans No-Gi gold medalist who trains under John Danaher, broke her silence on social media with a detailed statement about her experience. The 23-year-old South African athlete, who holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, described the assault and praised the decisive measures taken by her training partners and instructors.
“I truly don’t believe I would have had the courage to come forward if my brother hadn’t helped be my voice in the beginning and advocate for me, alongside others who supported me,” Griffith wrote. “I also want to acknowledge that when I informed my coaches John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, and Garry Tonon they responded with immediate seriousness, compassion, and action. They removed Izaak from the gym and made it clear that my safety and well-being were their priority.”
Griffith’s statement comes after Michell, who recently won the ADCC Asia trials in the 170 lbs (77kg) division, was expelled from Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu last week. While Gordon Ryan and Danaher initially declined to share specifics, hosts of the Simple Man podcast provided additional context during a recent episode.
Nicky Ryan, who co-hosts the podcast alongside Nicky Rod, Damian Anderson, and Ethan Crelinsten, confirmed that Michell was removed after multiple women came forward. “Pretty much just ’cause I believe like multiple different women went to the police, you know claiming that he s**ually assaulted them,” Ryan explained during the show.
According to the podcast, Michell has since traveled to Thailand, where ADCC trials were taking place. “It seems like he might be trying to hide out there, but I don’t know,” one host said, while another added: “I think it’s a visitors thing for like you could probably only stay there for like a month or something.”
In her statement, Griffith emphasized that her decision to speak publicly was not one she made lightly. “I am normally a very private person, and speaking publicly about my personal life is something I never imagined I would have to do,” she wrote. “However, after deep reflection, I feel morally obligated to share what happened to me. Not for attention, but because silence allows harmful behavior to continue.”
The athlete described the timing as particularly challenging, noting that the assault occurred just one week before she was scheduled to compete at the World Championships. “The past few weeks have been incredibly overwhelming,” she wrote. “I carried a great deal of shame, and I was absolutely terrified that no one would believe me. That fear almost kept me silent.”
Griffith was clear about the nature of the incident. “What happened to me was not a misunderstanding, mixed signals, or a moment of confusion it was a clear violation of my consent,” she stated. “Consent is unmistakable, and responsibility always lies with the person who chooses to ignore it.”
She went on to urge others who may have had similar experiences to come forward. “If you have been a person harmed by Izaak Michell, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me personally,” Griffith wrote. “I can also put you in contact with advocacy which is a hundred percent confidential or direct you to authorities.”
The athlete concluded her statement with a message of solidarity. “For the women who feel alone, unheard, or afraid to take that first step. If you have experienced something similar, please know that your ‘no’ matters, your feelings matter, and your safety matters. It was not your fault, and you are not alone.”
Griffith’s decision to speak openly represents a significant moment in the grappling community, where she hopes her voice will encourage others to prioritize safety and accountability. “I refuse to let shame silence me,” she wrote. “What happened does not define me, how I move forward does.”
Full statement:
Craig Jones and Gordon Ryan collaborated on the post with Hannah, with Danaher writing:
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